How to give a fake error message on Windows

Whether you're an app developer or just someone wanting to prank their coworkers, knowing how to create a custom error message is an essential skill. It is very easy to learn how to create a Windows error message.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Create a single error dialog box

Step 1. Open Notepad

Start the program Notepad.

Simultaneously press ⊞ Win + R
Type Notepad in the dialog box Execute.
Press Enter or click OK.

Step 2. Enter the code

Copy and paste the following code into the Notepad:

x = msgbox ("Type your message here", button + icon, "Enter your title here")

Step 3. Customize the button (s)

To customize the buttons, replace button in the code you just pasted into the Notepad by one of the following codes:

0 - OK;
1 - OK and Cancel;
2 - Abandon, Restart and Ignore;
3 - Yes, No and Cancel;
4 - Yes and No;
5 - Start over and Cancel.

Step 4. Customize the icon

To customize the icon for your error message, replace icon in the code you just pasted into the Notepad by one of the following codes:

0 - no icon;
16 - the critical error icon (“X” icon);
32 - the question icon (“?” Icon);
48 - the warning icon (“!” Icon);
64 - the information icon (“i” icon).

Step 5. Personalize the title

To customize the title of your error message, replace Enter your title here in the code you pasted into the Notepad by the title you want to give your error message.

Step 6. Personalize the message

To customize the message of your error message, replace Type your message here in the code you pasted into the Notepad with the error message you want to display.

Step 7. Save the document

To open the window Save as, press Ctrl + S on your keyboard.

Step 8. Select the type of backup

Expand the list next to Type and select All the files (*.*).

Step 9. Name your file

Type a name for your file, followed by a period (.) and vbs.

Step 10. Choose a location

Choose a folder where to save your file.

Step 11. Save

Click the Save button.

Step 12. View the message

To view the error message, double-click on the file you just created.

Method 2 of 2: Create a sequence of error dialog boxes

Creating a sequence of error dialog boxes will cause error messages to be displayed one after the other. Each message will appear as the previous message has been closed.

Step 1. Open Notepad

Start the program Notepad.

Simultaneously press ⊞ Win + R
Type Notepad in the dialog box Execute.
Press Enter or click OK.

Step 2. Enter the code

Copy and paste the following code into the Notepad:

x = msgbox ("Type your message here", button + icon, "Enter your title here")

Step 3. Customize the buttons

To customize the buttons, replace button in the code you pasted into the Notepad by one of the following codes:

0 - OK;
1 - OK and Cancel;
2 - Abandon, Restart and Ignore;
3 - Yes, No and Cancel;
4 - Yes and No;
5 - Start over and Cancel.

Step 4. Customize the icon

To customize the icon for your error message, replace icon in the code you pasted with one of the following codes:

0 - no icon;
16 - the critical error icon (“X” icon);
32 - the question icon (“?” Icon);
48 - the warning icon (“!” Icon);
64 - the information icon (“i” icon).

Step 5. Personalize the title

To customize the title of your error message, replace Enter your title here that you stuck in the Notepad by the title you want to give your error message.

Step 6. Personalize the message

To customize the message of your error message, replace Type your message here in the code you pasted into the Notepad with the error message you want to display.